NEWSLETTERS

september (1) 2023

God Loves Haruku Island

For years Christ has been doing His work reaching to His people in Haruku Island, Maluku province of Indonesia. Churches have established presence amongst the 27,000 population island in the east of Ambon. Five of the eleven villages present in the 150 km2 scuba-diving haven have been Christians for decades. However, the Three Angels Message of Revelation 14 to remind everyone of His soon return, and the ending of judgment is what Jesus desires in Haruku. Our satellite signal reaches the island but it has not been easy to bring the Advent message to those who are even familiar with gospel.

Many Christians there do not realize that Jesus asks us to be baptized in the way He was baptized. The NIV bible translation, where Indonesian bible is translated from, is missing an important part of Matthew 20:22 that describes just that. Compare the NIV with the original text derived through literal translation in KJV. NIV: “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. KJV: But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

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With this verse alone many eyes have been opened. Brother Dolan Lappy and his wife, Imelda are hard working missionaries for Haruku island. They keep us updated here in HCBN Indonesia of situation there. On September 9, 2023, the small congregation that gathers in one of the members’ house performed baptism for five new members who decided to follow Christ and accept Him as their personal saviour. Finally the island may witness how Jesus was baptized. We pray that many more will follow Him.

What they have is a challenging task. Opposition from local tribal leaders and their King, also the existing churches were relentlessly launched at our bible workers. Objection soon became threats but they never give up. We pray that churches may soon see that God desires the churches to unite, not in competition with each other. The mission work being lead by Lappy family and the church members has been supported by pastors from Ambon and the medical professionals to give health seminars and outreach to the locals. Aides and reliefs are continually extended to those who would receive them. In prisons, on the busy streets, the elderly and children.

When crisis comes, it becomes opportunity for us to pray together. We have all been assigned as task to bring the good news of the gospel. Anywhere you are now, let us support God’s work in Haruku that they may grow not only in numbers, but also in their spirit that Jesus may be glorified.